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Environmental vs. Social Problems: American Perspectives in the 2020s
Get PDFThis study explores American perspectives on environmental and social issues through an open-ended survey with approximately 10,000 responses. Participants were asked to prioritize between environmental and social issues and to explain their reasoning. The responses were qualitatively coded based on seven main variables: choice between social and environmental concerns, perceived immediacy of effects, motivation (intrinsic or extrinsic), solvability of issues, perceived connection between social and environmental problems, appeal to future generations, and presence of conspiratorial or denial views
U.S. Military Veterans Transition to Two Midwest Universities: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Moral Injury, and Academic Outcomes
Get PDFAbstract
Objective: To examine the association between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and moral injury (MI) and the extrinsic factors of the degree of negative patterns of healthy behaviors and negative experiences in an academic setting, the moderating effects of social support on PTSD and MI symptomatology, and the perception of academic success and positive perception of academic experience. Additionally, to examine the mediating effect of intrinsic factors (perceived academic experience) on academic outcomes objectively and subjectively.
Background: Student veterans as non-traditional students face challenges transitioning to the academic environment. Some have underlying mental and psychological complications of PTSD and MI, leaving them feeling disconnected, not fitting in, lacking a sense of belonging, and lacking support, hindering academic success. The existing literature was unclear and inadequate in assessing student veterans’ transitioning experience and lacked academic outcome evaluation.
Methods: Data on 68 college student veterans was collected through a five-month survey from two Midwest universities. The partial correlation network (graphical LASSO) regression method and R was applied to evaluate variables of PTSD, MI, health habits, college experience, social support, perception of academic experience, and academic success.
Findings: PTSD showed a strong positive direct effect on MI; both PTSD and MI had a direct negative effect on academic success; MI showed a negative direct effect on social connectedness. College experience had a direct effect on academic success, a direct negative effect on veteran status, and a negative direct effect on social connectedness. Social connectedness had a strong direct effect on self-efficacy. Health habits showed a weak positive effect on peer sense of belonging, self-efficacy, social connectedness, and number of children. Social support moderated between PTSD and academic success objectively.
Conclusion: PTSD and MI symptomatology increases negative health behaviors and decreases with social support in veterans. Both PTSD and MI combined decrease with perceived academic success and social connectedness. Social support did not show moderation between academic success and academic experience.
Implications: These results can expand the body of knowledge to support student veterans to succeed in the academic environment, provide a social connection and sense of belonging, and help promote academic success
Cumulative Advantage and Student Performance in General Chemistry: An Empirical Study at a Midwest Tier 1 University (2016-2019)
Get PDFGeneral chemistry (GC) plays a crucial role in the academic and career outcomes of students interested in postsecondary science, engineering and medicine. As a whole, chemistry education research literature has reported student attrition rates averaging from 25% to 35% for nearly a century. Student attrition rates can be attributed to a number of factors, including high school preparation (e.g. Tai et al. 2006), opportunity to learn (Carroll, 1989) and accumulated time and practice in a domain (e.g. Ericsson et al. 1993). The factors, in turn, are affected by mechanisms of social stratification, in particular, the social mechanism of cumulative advantage (Merton, 1968, 1988). In the context of education, cumulative advantage is evident in the form of achievement gaps, which result from the accumulation of knowledge by one group over another across K-12 education (e.g. DiPrete and Eirich, 2006). Empirical performance data was analyzed using exploratory data analysis, null hypothesis significance testing and modeling to infer whether a process of cumulative advantage was present. Results of the analyses support the hypothesis that differential high school preparation could be, at least partially responsible for GC student outcomes. The implications for practice are discussed and broad suggestions for promoting equity are described
Restricted Powers, Special-Purpose Districts, and Path Dependence: Economic Graveyards in Downstate Illinois
Get PDFProperty taxation in the United States is a critical issue warranting examination because it involves the directed distribution of government costs and benefits for citizens. The central question exists: Why are Illinois’ property taxes so high? Path dependence was explored as a theory to explain Illinois’ property tax reliance issues, asserting that as local governmental units in the State face budget limitations, they find alternative revenue streams. For example, restricted powers could lead to the development of quasi-governments, which are known as special-purpose districts. In such cases, once general-purpose municipalities charter a course by creating special-purpose districts, it is difficult to adjust their course. This could and often does lead to additional layers of government, sometimes redundancy in service delivery, and higher property tax bills. Tax caps as a legislative tool, financially restricting governmental units, serve as a way powers might be restricted. Such constraining mechanisms can motivate general-purpose governments to investigate alternative revenue sources. The result can give rise to path dependence. It is hypothesized that tax caps initially might hold property taxes at or below inflationary rates in high-growth counties. But as local governmental units face increased pressure due to budgetary constrictions, they will identify ways to evade those constraints. To empirically test these hypotheses, taxing bodies’ increased reliance on property tax dollars in Illinois was explored, paying particular attention to Downstate Illinois counties below Interstate 80, as well as a high-level comprehensive statewide examination. First, a 10-county pilot study was conducted. Then a statewide examination followed. Whether governmental units rely upon the creation of special-purpose districts, which included school districts, to sidestep budgetary limitations was explored empirically. Also empirically explored was whether the counties’ level of economic growth – high versus low – had an interactive effect with counties’ use of special district taxes to sidestep the tax caps
Bananas vs. Coffee: Why Did One Instigate Violence and the Other Community?
Get PDFViolence. Nationalism. Racism. A community ripped apart by multinational corporations. These are likely not the words and ideas associated with bananas. However, in Costa Rica and other South American countries, these words only begin to describe the history surrounding this fruit. Community. Fair Trade. Globalization. A nation brought together by a simple drink. These words all describe none other than our beloved drink coffee. Costa Rica relies heavily on the exports of coffee and this crop has actually helped produce an entire subculture, known as café cultura, which promotes community and belonging. But why are these two crops vastly different, despite each being extremely prominent in Costa Rica and Latin America? This research aims to explore the history surrounding both crops, analyze the communities they foster, and to compare the similarities and explain the differences between them. The research reviews and analyzes research articles, first-hand accounts, semi-autobiographical novels, and interview data to dive into themes of sustainability, nationalism, exploitation, environmentalism, and so much more surrounding the banana and coffee cultures in Costa Rica
Effect of Confusion Assessment Scores on Identifying Delirium in Intensive Care Patients
Get PDFDelirium in intensive care unit (ICU) patients can lead to increased length of stay in the hospital, increased risk of complications, increased polypharmacy, family distress and increased rate of mortality (Vasilevskis et al., 2018). Research has shown that addressing modifiable risk factors can improve survival rate by up to 15%, and routine screening for delirium in ICU patients leads to decreased patient anxiety, reduced in-hospital mortality, early recognition, and treatment of delirium (Krewulak et al., 2021 ; Vasilevskis et al., 2018). This quality improvement project used evidence-based intervention to increase accurate documentation of the confusion assessment method in the ICU (CAM-ICU) to identify patients at risk for delirium. In addition to retrospective chart review, an observational descriptive design was used to evaluate comfort and knowledge of nursing staff in addressing delirium. 40 nurses participated in the presurvey, and 43 participated in the post survey. Results indicated no significant improvement in comfort or knowledge in self-administered reflections of nurses, however behaviors of documentation dramatically increased. Total number of encounters for April was 725 and total for November was 322. A random sample of 159 from each month was used to determine rate of appropriate CAM-ICU documentation. Pre survey (November), 100 of the 159 were accurately documented resulting in 62.9% whereas in the post survey period (April) the rate increased with 137 of 159 appropriate documentation with a rate of 86.2%. The rate in which the CAM-ICU was accurately and appropriately documented in the electronic health record (EHR) was found to be statistically significant ( p \u3c .001) indicating positive change in documentation
Impact of a Standardized Handoff Tool between Gastroenterology and PACU Nurses’ Communication and Satisfaction
Get PDFImpact of a Standardized Handoff Tool between Gastroenterology and PACU Nurses’ Communication and Satisfaction
Abstract
Problem: Patient handoff between nurses is a critical moment where it is imperative that complete and accurate information is exchanged. Handoff of patient information can be complex, and the use of unstructured, non-standardized handoffs could result in poor communication leading to the omission of pertinent information and a decrease in patient safety and staff satisfaction. Several studies have found the use of standardized handoff tools improve communication, decrease omission of critical information, and improve staff satisfaction. While the use of standardized handoff tools is best for patient handoff and safety, there still appears to be a gap in utilization in some areas of nursing.
Methods: This quality improvement project utilized a descriptive observational design. Development of a new GI specific handoff tool was designed after obtaining feedback from both GI and PACU staff and reviewing the current handoff tool. Pre-implementation and post-implementation staff survey data were compared to determine if perceived communication and nursing satisfaction improved in relation to the application of the new handoff tool. Completion rates for items on the new GI handoff tool were also calculated.
Results: Descriptive statistics, Fisher Exact tests, and two-tailed Mann-Whitney tests were utilized to determine statistical significance between staff surveys. No statistical significance was determined in the GI responses for either communication or satisfaction surveys. Two questions were found to be statistically significant in the PACU responses from the communication survey and one question was found to be statistically significant from the satisfaction survey. There was one question that was statistically significant in the combined staff surveys. The documentation completion rates for the most part either
met or exceeded the 90% completion rate. One documentation item did not met the 90% completion rate.
Implications for Practice: The implementation of the new standardized handoff tool did show improvement in the perceived communication and satisfaction with PACU nurses. No statistical improvement was shown with GI nurses, but there should be continued education on the use of the new standardized handoff tool. Almost all of the documentation items were identified correctly indicating a beneficial aspect of the new handoff tool
The Impact of Collaboration, Problem Solving, and Creativity on Computer Programming Education for Middle School Girls
Get PDFDespite high scores and abilities, girls lose interest in science and math throughout middle school. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs in the computer science research field will grow 19% by 2026; however, only 18% of the bachelor’s degrees in computer science are earned by women in the United States (ComputerScience.org, 2021). New technology and inventions are being created without the benefit of more diverse perspectives and input from females. There is a need to engage girls and maintain their interest throughout middle school and beyond. Additional research needs to be conducted about the impact and best practices used during out-of-school time programs to encourage and motivate girls to stay engaged in STEM, including computer programming (Koch, 2014).
This study investigated the relationship between middle school girls’ interest in computer programming and the opportunities to collaborate, solve problems, and use their creativity while participating in computer programming activities led by female role models during the 4-H Girls Tech Challenge, an informal education program. Research questions are the following: 1) In what ways did the 4-H Girls Tech Challenge experience, which included components of problem solving, collaboration, creativity and female role models, affect the attitudes of middle school girls towards computer programming? 2) To what extent did the 4-H Girls Tech Challenge experience affect the attitude of middle school girls towards potentially pursuing careers related to computer science and technology?
Evidenced by other studies, experiences in which collaboration, problem solving, and creativity are present have been shown to increase knowledge about computer programming and engagement in STEM (Cooper & Heaverlo, 2013; Wu-Rorrer, 2019; Hayden et al., 2011). A qualitative study employing interviews with previous participants was utilized to determine how the components of collaboration, problem solving, and creativity of the 4-H Girls Tech Challenge affected the attitudes of middle school girls towards computer programming and careers in computer science. Educators will benefit from learning more about best practices that engage, motivate, and retain more girls in STEM. An increase in the number of women in the STEM workforce will maximize innovation, creativity, and competitiveness (Hill et al., 2010)
Intentional Passing and Closeted Agency
Get PDFIt is characteristic of closeted queer agents that they behave so as to pass as heterosexual, cisgender, or otherwise as non-queer. Thus, I take it that an action-theoretic account of the phenomenon of straight-passing is essential to developing an action-theoretic account of the practical disposition of being “in the closet.” To progress towards a broader account of closeted queer agency, I endeavor in this thesis to clarify the patterns of practical reasoning involved in straight-passing with an aim to demonstrate that straight-passing, in all its forms, is something that a queer agent can intentionally do. However, a queer agent often brings it about that they pass as straight not only through what they do, but also through what they refrain from doing. Passing by refraining from action simpliciter, passing by excluding certain candidate actions in one’s practical reasoning, and passing by constraining the manner of the performance of some action all involve purposefully omitting to act in some way. Thus, securing the intentionality of straight-passing in all its forms requires us to give some account of how inaction can be intentional on the part of a queer agent. In doing so, I apply Randolph Clarke’s causal theory of intentional omissions to plausible accounts of the practical reasoning involved in straight-passing to demonstrate that passing is indeed something that closeted queer agents intentionally do
Litmag 23
Get PDFLitmag’s mission is to nurture the creativity of the students, staff, and alumni of UMSL by providing a space to showcase the diverse literary and artistic talent of our campus. We aim to provide an inclusive professional and high-quality publication free of charge to UMSL and the local community.
The University of Missouri-St. Louis Department of English proudly presents LITMAG the thirty-fifth edition this Spring 2023. First established in 1983.
Dear Reader, Welcome to the 2022-23 edition of Litmag. I am so excited for you to dive into the work submitted by our 47 talented contributors. Some have already shown their work to the world before, while others are publishing for the first time—either way, I congratulate all of them for their incredible pieces. I also must praise the hard work of all the editors and art students alike who put their heart and soul into assembling Litmag this year. Witnessing their passion for this project has truly been one of the greatest pleasures of my adult life.
Last year’s editors of Litmag aimed to embrace the middle ground between “pandemic times” and “back to normal.” Th is year, our editors collectively acknowledged that things may never fully be “back to normal,” but we agreed that our readers deserve a little peace—something to enjoy even when times are uncertain. For many of us, literature continues to be an escape from the harsh realities of the world around us, giving us hope, relief, and the belief that everything’s going to be okay.
The stories that were shared with us this year made us laugh, think, and connect with one another. We read our favorites over and over. We took notes and sent texts about the lines we loved. We debated over the meaning of metaphors. But most of all we reveled in the comfort of escaping into someone else’s perspective.
We tried to recreate that feeling in this edition. Whether you’re a lover of science fi ction, romance, thrillers, political satire, humor, even prose about winning the lottery (a niche genre, but one nonetheless), there’s something in this book for you. And we encourage you, reader, to make this edition of Litmag your own.
So, get comfortable and dive in: read, take notes, doodle, highlight, write your own poetry in the margins, loan it to a friend, crease its corners, fl ag your favorites, or tape them up to your wall — make this book your escape for a while, and love it to death. It’ll love you right back.
You are the light.
Please take the time to read this in a way that makes you glow.https://irl.umsl.edu/litmag/1032/thumbnail.jp